Janine M. Dexter

Born in Acushnet, MA on November 23, 1942 to the late Henry J. Tetrault and Loretta (Ledoux) Tetrault.

Janine was raised in Dartmouth, MA and graduated from Dartmouth High School with honors in 1960. It was at Dartmouth High School where she would meet her future husband, Steven Dexter. Janine and Steven would have celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary on October 20 th of this year.

Following high school, Janine attended St. Anne’s School of Nursing but was unable to complete her training due to health issues. Janine, for the duration of her life, was very passionate about helping and caring for others even in the midst of her own health battles. From 1956 to 1966, Janine worked as an secretarial assistant and gift shop administrator at Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford. She always held very fond memories of her time employed there and continued to correspond with Brother Bonaventure until the time of his passing in 1986. She also worked as an administrative assistant at Babbitt Steam Co. in New Bedford.

Janine and Steven were highly involved in their children’s activities as they were growing up. Whether it was Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, concerts, band competitions, Little League, or art shows, they were always present. Janine very much enjoyed being a part of the Dartmouth School Music Association (DSMA) for many years. One of her most favorite events to attend was Medfield Jazz Night where her son, Ryan, is a music teacher. She was particularly fond of the music of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond. Janine was an avid reader, champion Scrabble player and enjoyed completing the most complicated of word searches and Sudoku puzzles. She loved to quilt, do Macramé and make her famous M&M cookies and mini cheesecakes for holiday gatherings. Janine was always intrigued by Japanese art and culture and had hoped to one day travel to Japan. She enjoyed traveling with her family to North Conway, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, Hilton Head Island and Savannah, Georgia. In recent years, Janine proudly mastered the fine arts of Facebook and Texting and loved to stay in daily communication with her children and grandchildren.

Janine was a loving grandmother to her four grandchildren. They fondly called her Grammie and Darlin’. Her grandchildren were the lights of her life. Whether she was near or far to their assorted school activities or sporting events, her grandchildren knew for certain that they were being cheered on by their Grammie/Darlin’.

In addition to her beloved husband, Janine is survived by her two children; daughter, Kelly Dexter-Miller (husband, Trip) and son, Ryan Dexter (wife, Katie); four grandchildren, Delaney and Ayden Miller and Amelia and Kendall Dexter; two brothers, Ronald Tetrault and Raymond Tetrault; and one sister, Yvette Johnson (no one made her laugh louder than Yvie). Janine also leaves behind her beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law and their spouses, many cousins, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and godchildren. A special mention to Janine’s dearest friends; Andrea, Betty (Liz), Durelle, Joyce, and Pat and to Janine’s dear friend, Arlene, who passed on before her. We are certain that they are together in Heaven making the most delicious batch of kale soup.

Janine’s mass of Christian burial will be held at St. George Church, 12 Highland Avenue, Westport, Massachusetts on November 2, 2022 at 11:00 AM. All are invited to attend. Janine’s family will be present prior to mass to receive guests from 10:00-10:45 AM. Steven, Kelly and Ryan are eternally grateful for the incredible gifts of love and support that have always been shown to their family.